A less dramatic day in terms of the scenery, but equally enjoyable. And at 62km, a step up from yesterday’s 50km. Here are the full route details and here’s the video summary:

The Military Road – I imagine they call it that because it is very straight – got me off to a flying start as I made good progress through the mist from Brighstone in the direction of Ventnor. Again, some significant climbing to be done but the view back down towards Chale was worth the effort. Once back on the round-the-island route I followed it as far as Wroxall where The Red Squirrel Trail took over. I had to swap the snooker table roads for a more hit and miss track for much of the rest of the day but hey! that’s why I cycle a Koga WorldTraveller…

The seaside between Shanklin and Sandown was colourful and fun. And very busy. I hear this has been the hottest August bank holiday Monday on record and the beach goers of these parts were out in their thousands.

Then it was a return to the Red Squirrel Trail and a pretty, if uneventful, journey back north. Aside that is from the Pedallers Café near Newchurch. Well worth the stop. The cheese scone with Brie and chutney is my top tip. I did make it as far as Osbourne House late this afternoon but alas English Heritage are not able to cope with people turning up with a bike, four panniers and a tent. Not willing to leave all my stuff in a corner of the car park, I had to leave without seeing so much as a brick of the house. One day, I’ll be back…

So that’s almost it for my short detour to the Isle of Wight. Tomorrow it’s an early start, back on the ferry accords the river at Cowes, back on the ferry to Southampton and back to Reading by train in time for a second train to Plymouth for the ferry to Santander. I shall be one mightily relieved cyclist when I’m standing on the deck of the Pont Aven watching Plymouth Hoe disappear into the distance knowing that everything tomorrow went to plan. Wish me luck at the mercy of the British railway network…